Hydel test for 'Edwin' at STETHS Invitational

THE 2015 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships is just under two months away, but it is already shaping up to be one of the closest in years on both sides.

Defending champions Calabar High, Kingston College and Jamaica College look set to fight out the finish for top honours among the boys. On the female side, defending champions Edwin Allen High will be hard-pressed to retain their title as, Hydel High, St Jago High and many-time winners Vere Technical and Holmwood Technical have shown a lot of quality so far.

Today at the St Elizabeth Technical Invitational meet, the Michael Dyke-coached Edwin Allen will be severely tested by Hydel. The latter have looked most dangerous so far, and their battle with Edwin Allen today will answer a lot of questions.

St Jago have looked the best team in hurdles so far, Vere, the best in middle and long distances. Holmwood are also showing quality in middle distances, but Hydel have looked the most complete team so far and are particularly strong in the sprints, hurdles and both horizontal and vertical jumps.

Sensational Soyinne

In the female sprints, today all eyes will be on Mount Alvernia High's Soyinne Grenion, who will compete in the Class Four 100 metres. The 13-year-old was sensational at the Douglas Forrest Invitational two weeks ago where she clocked a zippy 24.97 seconds in the 200 metres, the second fastest time of the day in the event.

It should also be a good day for home team St Elizabeth Technical. Marvin and Okeen Williams should give them a flying start in the 400m hurdles where they are both medal contenders for "Champs". Jauavney James and Shemar Salmon in Class Two and Paul Tate in Class One should do very well in the middle-distance events.

Events down for competition are 100m, 400m, 1500m, 4x400m, discus throw, high jump and javelin.